Double gate valve



11 mmh Wg, ifl; L. s. HMMER DOUBLE GATE 'VALVE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 25, 1946 N M \\w% wlw. w

VWW w n.. s. HAMMER 'DOUBLE am: VALVE Filed April '23f 1.946.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 rrolQA/En Patented Mar.. 7, 1950 2.499.383 pouBLE GATE vALvE Leland S. Hamer, Long Beach, Calif., assignor of one-fourth Calif.

to Paul A. Dewhirst, Los Angeles,

Application April 23, 1946, Serial No. 664.3479

This invention has to do with a double gate valve and it is a general object of the invention to provide a double gate valve with a positive shut-off and which is useful generally in a pipe line or the like where fluid may have to be positively shut oil from either direction.

There are various situations where iiow must be controlled by a device such as a gate valve, but where a single gate valve is not sufficiently dependable and, therefore. two gate valves are employed.

It is a general object of my present invention to provide a unit which involves a double gate valve giving the character of general control obtainable where two gate valves are ordinarily employed. which unit includes a blinding plate whereby a positive shut-oil can be established to supplement either one or both of the gate valves. With the construction that I have provided the blinding plate can be operated to effect a positive shut-od against flow in either direction, and when it is in operating position one of the gate valves is out of service so that repairs can bemade on it at will.

lt is a further object of my present invention to provide' a unit or structure such as I have reierred to which is simple and compact. making it practical for use in pipe lines such as are found in reneries and the like. By my invention l provide a structure that occupies but little space and is far more simple and easytto operate than the usual series of independent units such as are now employed to accomplish results of the general character that I attain.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view of the structure that I have provided with parts at one end of the structure broken away to show in section. Fig. 2 is a reduced view illustrating an operating tool applied to one of the gate units of the structure. l Fig. 3 ls a detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 3 3 on Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the structure taken substantially as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the structure andFig. 6 is a detailed cross sectional view of a part of the structure shown in Fig. 3.

The device that I have provided involves, generally. two valve units A. a plate B acting between the valve units, a single means C connecting and 12 claims. (c1. 277-61) operating the valve units and an intermediate section D between the valve units cooperating therewith to form a plate receiving chamber. In carrying out my invention I may employ valves of different forms or types. However, I prefer to use gate valves and I will therefore describe the valve units as being of this type.

Each valve unit A has a body with a tubular main portion l0 having a central fluid passage il, a lateral extension I2 forming a chamber I3 that intersects the passage il, a gate |14 and operating means i5 for the gate.

The body lll of each valve unit has connecting means such as a connecting flange I6 at its outer end and, in practice, any suitable form of connecting means can be provided to facilitate connection of the valve unit with the end of a pipe line or the like. The inner end of the body l0 is characterized by an annular seat il for the reception of the plate B and a U-shaped lia'nge I8 engaged around the sides and lower portion of the seat and formed to carry the section D. IIn the particular form oi the invention illustrated the seat ll is a flat, smooth. annular seat in a plane transverse of the longitudinal axis of the body section lll.

The flange i8 preferably projects axially somewhat beyond or inward of the seat and has vertical side portions 20 projecting up somewhat beyond the seat il and with their lower end portions joined by a curved portion 2l concentric with the seat and extending around, under, or beneath the seat.

The extension l2 of the gate unit is laterally disposed relative to the body section Ill and establishes the chamber i3 which intersects the passage lll. In practice I prefer to form or cast the extension l2 integrally with the body portion l0, as shown throughout the drawings.

'I'he gate i4 may be of any suitable form or shape. However, I prefer to employ a Wedgeshaped gate and in the particular construction illustrated the gate has one side cooperating with a fixed or permanent seat 23 in the main portion it and has the other side cooperating with a seat 24 established on the inner end of a removable sleeve 25 inserted in the portion Hl from its outer end, the relationship of parts being such that the gate can be removed through the outer end portion of the body when the insert or sleeve 25 is removed. The chamber i3 is such as to allow movement of the gate i4 between a down or acting position. as shown in Fig. i. and an up or retracted position where it is end tirely within the extensions H2 allowing free passage through the body portion il).

The means provided for operating the gate i4 may be any suitable means that will effect movement of the gate between the two positions above described. In the particular case illustrated the operating means l5 involves, generally, a. stem having a lower end portion 30 connected to the gate by a removable pin 3l and a threaded upper end portion 32, a nut member 33 carries the threaded portion of the stem and is held in a bracket 34 supported on posts 35 projecting upwardly from the extension l2, and a packing means 36 is provided around the stem where it passes out of the extension i2. The nut 33 has a 'head to be engaged by a tool, for instance by a suitable operating tool. I have shown the head in the form of a polygonal part 38 and I have shown the operating tool in the form of a socket wrench 39 that can be applied to the head when desired. Access openings 4D are provided in the extension I2 and are normally closed by plugs 4l. The openings 40 are located so that the parts can be positioned to facilitate application and removal of the pin 3l that connects the gate with the stem.

The plate B is preferably of the type ordinarily known as a blinding plate, in which case it has one end section 45 that is solid or imperforate and has another end portion 46 that has a flow passage 41 formed through it. The plate is such that either end portion can be employed at will. The gate sections A are coupled and related in the manner shown in Fig. 1 through the means C so that their faces l1 are opposed and spaced apart for the reception of the end portions 45 and 46 at the plate. The means C as I Will hereinafter describe is operable to move the sections A relative to each other to free them from or clamp them to the plate. In practice I prefer to provide means for sealing between the faces il and the plate. The sealing means may involve any suitable form of sealing parts or devices carried by either one or both of the parts to be sealed. In the case illustrated I have shown sealing rings 50 carried in channels or recesses 5i provided in the faces of the two plate parts t5 and 36.

The intermediate section D of the structure is a U-shaped part conforming generally in conguration to the anges l@ on the inner ends of the valve units. A I preferably form the section as a single elongate part and I make it of a somewhat conformable material so that it will remain in seated or cooperatingv engagement with the two sections A throughout movement of the sections relative to each other to allow for insertion and removal or the plate E. In practice the section D may be formed oi a rubber-like composition or of any suitable material having the desired resilience. In the particular construction illustrated sealingengagement is established between the section D and the iianges it of the valve sections A by providing wedgeshapecl channels 5b in the opposed faces of the anges id and by shaping the section D to seat or wedge into the channels. By shaping the section D to correspond to the anges i8 and by making the section co-extensive with the flanges the section D fits between the valve sections A establishing an upwardly opening chamber for the reception of the plate E. 'Ihe form or shape of this chamberis shown in Fig. l of the drawings.

The 'connecting means C serves to both join or connect the sections A to tie them together and also is operable to move the sections relative 4 to each other for the purpose of spreading them away from the plate B or for clamping them onto the plate B. In accordance with the preferred form of my invention I provide two or more pairs of lugs 60 at each side of. the structure in the drawings I provide two pairs of lugs at 4 each side of the structure so that there are four units of the means C distributed around the parts of the valve units A desired to be moved apart or clamped together relative to the plate B. Each lug 60 projects laterally or from the side of the valve unit on which it is formed and it is characterized by a downwardly and inwardly extend; ing socket provided to carry a nut 6|, by a notch 66 in the inner side portion of the lug communicating with the socket and adapted to receive the tie member 62. and by a hole 61 in the outer side portion of the lug communicating with the socket 65 and adapted to register with the tie member when the parts are in working position.

The socket 65, provided in each lug 60, is shaped and proportioned to readily receive a nut 6I so that the nut engages one or more walls of the socket to be held against rotation in the socket. By forming the socket 65 to extend downwardly and inwardly in the lug a nut is readily insertable into the socket and will not become dislodged therefrom unless deliberately moved.

The tie member 62 involves, generally a central head 10 and a threaded projection H at each side of the head' which projections are threaded into the nuts 6I in the opposed lugs 60. The head 10 may be formed or shaped in any suitable mannerto receive an operating tool such asa. wrench or a bar. In the case illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6 of the drawings I have shown the head 10 in the form of an enlargement having suitably disposed openings suitable for the reception of an operating bar. In Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings I have illustrated a head 1lia in the form of a tool engaging part which is polygonal in cross sectional configuration, making it such as to conveniently receive a wrench.

It is to be observed that with the arrangement that I have provided the two lugs 60 of each pair of lugs of a unit of means C are spaced a substantial distance apart so that the head 'l0 of the tie member is received between the lugs. The threaded projections 1I of the tie member .are in alignment with each other and thread into or through the nuts 6I.' The openings B1 are located in the lugs so that the extensions 'Il may enter them as the valve sections A are moved together so that there is no interference with proper movement of the valve sections A.

In order that rotation of the tie member 10 will eiect movement of the body sections A relative to each other the threads on the two projections 'Ii of the tie member are diierent or, in other words, I establish a differential relationship between the threaded engagement between the tie member and the two lugs which it joins. In practice I may, as I have shown in the drawings, provide a leithanded thread on one projection 'H and a right-handed thread on the other projection 1l. However, I wish it understood that the differential relationship can be gained in any suitable manner, for instance, I may, if

:incassaY I desire, provide like thread on the two projections 'ii varying only as to degree of pitch. In the latter case I will gain very slight movement of the valve units A relative to each other for a given rotation of the tie member, whereas if the threads are pitched oppositely as I have shown in the drawings I will gain a substantial movement of the units A for such a given movement of the tie member. In practice I preferably provide means for releasabiy retaining the tie member in connection with the lugs B0. In the drawings I have shown retaining pins 90 engaged across the notches 66 which facilitate entry of the tie member into operating position and when the pins 90 are in place the tie member is effectively held in operating position.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that when the tie member is rotated in one direction the lugs`60. coupled to it, will be moved in a given direction, say, for instance, toward each other, whereas if the tie member is rotated in the opposite direction the units A will be moved in the opposite direction or apart.

The means D as above described acts between the sections A to prevent leakage of fluid from the device when the device is being operated to change position of the means B, assuming that the line to `which the device is connected is not under head. In the preferred form of the invention I provide pet cocks 95 located on both sides of the means B and in connection with the fluid passages ill between the gates I4 and the means B. In situations where the device is operated under pressure the pet cocks 95 can be opened to relieve the pressure from the uid passages after the gates i4 have been closed, and before the means C is operated to release the means B.

From the foregoing description it is believed that the operation of the structure will be fully understood. The valve units A can be operated whenever desired, for instance, they may be operated independently so that they are either both open or both closed, or one is open while the other is closed. Likewise the plate B can be positioned in any desired manner between the sections A, that is, it can be arranged as shown in Fig. 1 so that it forms a positive shut-off between the valve units A or it can be reversed from the position shown, in which case it leaves unrestricted flow between the valve units A. To manipulate the plate B the several units of the means C are operated to either spread the valve units apart or to clamp them together, and during operation of the means C the intermediate section D of the structure maintains an upwardly opening U-shaped chamber between the sections A for the reception of the plate B which chamber prevents leakage that wculd otherwise occur.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A device of the character described including, two like opposed relatively movable valve units each having a body with connecting means at its outer end and having a gate operating in the body. each body having a sealing face at its inner end and spaced side lugs intermediate its ends, a plate arranged between the units and engaged by the faces of the units, and tie members connecting the lugs of the two units together operable to move the units relative to each other into clamping engagement with the plate, the tie members having parts between the lugs engageable by an operating tool.

2. A device of the character described including, two like opposed relatively movable valve units each having a body with connecting means at its outer end and having a gate operating in the body, each body having a sealing face at its inner end and spaced side lugs intermediate its ends, a plate arranged between the units engaged by the faces of the units, and tie members connecting the lugs of the two units together operable to move the units relative to each other into and out of clamping engagement with the plate, the tie members having apertured. portions between the lugs engageable by an operating tool.

3. A device of the character described including, two like opposed relatively movable valve units each having a body with connecting means at its outer l,end and having a gate operating in the body, each body having a sealing face at its inner end and spaced side lugs intermediate its ends, a plate arranged between the units engaged by the faces of the units, and tie members having threaded connection with the lugs of the two units to connect the units together,

the, tie members being operable to move the units relative to each other into andout of clamping engagement with the plate each end of each tie member having threaded engagement with a lug.

4. A device of the character described including, two like opposed relatively movable valve units each having a body with connecting means at its outer end and having a gate operating in the body, each body having a sealing face at its inner end and spaced side lugs intermediate its ends, a plate arrangedbetween the units engaged by the faces of the units, and tie members having differential threaded connection with the lugs of vthe two units to connect the units together, the tie members being operable to move the units relative to each other into and out of clamping engagement with the plate.

5. A device of the character described including, two like opposed relatively movable valve units each having a body with connecting means at its outer end and having a gate operating in the body, each body having a sealing face at its inner end and spaced side lugs intermediate its ends, a plate arranged between the units engaged by the faces of the units, nuts carried by the lugs, and tie members threaded to the nuts connecting the lugs of the two units together operable to move the units relative to each other irto and out of clamping engagement with the p ate.

6. A device of the character described including, two like opposed relatively movable -valve units each having a body with connecting means at its outer end and having a gate operating in the body. each body having a sealing face at its inner end and spaced side lugs intermediate its ends. a plate arranged between the units engaged by the faces of the units, nuts carried by the lugs, and tie members threaded to the nuts connecting the lugs of the two units together operable to move the units relative to each other into and out of clamping engagement with the plate, the nut engaging threads of each tie member causing differential movement of the nuts engaged therewith.

7. A device of the character described including, two like opposed relatively movable valve units each having a body with connecting means at its outer end and having a gate operating in the-body, each body having va sealing face at its inner end and spaced side lugs intermediate its ends, a plate arranged between the units engaged by the faces of the units, there being sockets in the lugs, nuts carried in the sockets against rotation, and tie members threaded to the nuts connecting the lugs oi the two units together operable to move the units relative to each other into and out of clamping engagement with the plate.

8. A device of 'the character described-including, two like relatively movable opposed valve units each having a body and a gate operating in the body, a plate arranged between the units having sealing engagement directly with the bodies of the units, an intermediate section of yielding materal between the bodies of the units forming an upwardly opening chamber receiving the plate, and means coupling the units together operable to move the units relative to each other to clamp them to the plate.

. 9. A device of the character described including, two like relatively movable opposed valve units each having a body and a gate operating in the body, a plate arranged between thel units hav;s ing sealing engagement directly with the bodies of the units, a U-shaped intermediate section of yielding material between the bodies of the units forming an upwardly opening chamber receiving the plate, and means coupling the units together and operable to move the units relative to each other to clamp them to the plate.

10. A device of the character described includ ing, two like relatively movable opposed valve units each having a body and a gate operating in the body, a plate arranged between the units having sealing engagement directly with the bodies of the units, an intermediate section of yielding material between the bodies of the units forming an upwardly opening chamber receiving the plate, and a, plurality of threaded ties located at the exterior of said chamber and coupling the units together and. operable to move the units relative to each other to plamp them to the plate.

-11. A unitary structure of the character described including. two like opposed relatively them to the plate including lugs on the sides of v the bodies of the units and differential screw members connecting the lugs of the two units.

12. A device of the character described including, two like opposed relatively movable valve units each having a body with connecting means at its outer end and having a gate operating in the body, each body having a sealing face at its inner end and spaced side lugs intermediate its ends, an upwardly opening U-shaped member of yielding material extending between the inner ends of the bodies, a. plate arranged between the units and within said member, the plate being engaged by the faces of the units, and tie members connecting the lugs of the two units together and operable to move the units relative to each other into clamping engagement with the plate, the tie members having parts between the lugs engageable by an operating tool.

LELAND S. HAMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 38,138 Bond Apr. 7, 1863 789,132 Bachman May 9, 1905 1,575,259 Fisher Mar. 2, 1926 1,613,138 Seymour ...L Jan. 4, 1927 1,813,418 OLeary July 7, 1931 1,981,825 Miller Nov. 20, 1934 2,200,416 Daniels May 14, 1940 2,214,959 Hamer Sept. 17, 1940 

